Scam Recovery Scams
Fraudsters recontact people who have already lost money and promise recovery in exchange for upfront fees.
How this scam operates
After an initial loss, a new caller, investigator, lawyer, or recovery service claims it can retrieve the money. The approach may use details from the original scam to appear credible. Upfront fees, taxes, wallet access, or further personal information are requested, but the promised recovery does not occur.
Details can vary, but the goal is usually to create enough trust, fear, or urgency that you act before verifying the story. Caller ID, profile names, logos, and polished websites can all be copied.
What the scammer wants
Money, payment details, personal information, or an action that removes normal payment protections.
Common tactics
Unexpected contact, urgency, copied identities or websites, unusual payment methods, and resistance to independent checks.
Warning signs to look for
Guaranteed recovery
An unsolicited service promises to recover prior losses for an advance fee.
Fees required to withdraw
More money, tax, or insurance is demanded before supposed funds can be released.
Unexpected contact
The conversation begins through an unsolicited call, message, email, or pop-up.
What to do next
Take protective action even if you are not yet certain this is a scam.
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immediate response
Reject advance recovery fees
Do not pay; report the approach and contact the original payment provider directly.
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Immediate response
Preserve evidence and secure access
Save messages, receipts, account names, URLs, and transaction details. If credentials were exposed, change them from a trusted device and review active sessions.
How to protect yourself
Pause unexpected requests involving money, codes, documents, or account access. Leave the original conversation and verify the claim using an official app, a known website, or a number from a statement or card. Do not rely on caller ID, profile names, or links supplied by the sender.
If you were affected
Stop contact and further payments. Contact the bank, payment service, marketplace, or platform through its official channel. Secure exposed accounts from a trusted device, preserve messages and transaction records, and report through the appropriate official service. Watch for follow-up recovery scams.
Open the recovery checklistRelated practical guides
What to Do If You Sent Money to a Scammer
Immediate steps for contacting a payment provider, protecting accounts, and preserving evidence.
7 minute read
Read this guideOfficial help and reporting
Choose the service for your location. External links open the organization’s official website.
ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Official United States service for reporting fraud, scams, and bad business practices.
Action Fraud
City of London Police
The United Kingdom’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
Phone: 0300 123 2040
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police, and Competition Bureau Canada
Canada’s central service for information about fraud and for reporting fraud and cybercrime.
Phone: 1-888-495-8501
Scamwatch
National Anti-Scam Centre
Australian government information and reporting guidance about scams.
Related scam types
Investment and Cryptocurrency Scams
Fraudulent opportunities use fabricated returns, manipulated dashboards, and urgency to obtain deposits.
Read related guideQuestions about Scam Recovery Scams
How can I tell whether a recovery service is legitimate?
Be cautious of unsolicited contact, guaranteed recovery, secrecy, and upfront fees. Independently verify any organization.